He retired from playing professional ice hockey on July 9, 2009.[1] The Colorado Avalanche retired his jersey number #19 with a "C" to represent his lengthy service as team captain on October 1, 2009.[2] Sakic was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame along with Adam Oates, Pavel Bure and Mats Sundin in 2012.[3]

He was a fan favourite in his hometown of Burnaby and even had a street named "Joe Sakic Way" in his honour.[4] In British Columbia he is affectionately known as "Burnaby Joe".[5]